
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 18, 1990                   TAG: 9007180354
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

EX-BEREAN MINISTER'S LOSS CLAIM ALLOWED

Bankruptcy Court Judge H. Clyde Pearson on Tuesday dismissed objections by Berean Baptist Church's creditors over a $300,000 claim filed by the former pastor, the Rev. Rudy Holland.

The creditors said Holland's claim is excessive. But Pearson's ruling came after the clergyman's attorney said all of the church's creditors would be paid before Holland, meaning they will not be harmed.

Ross Hart, attorney for the creditors committee, said, "We know Holland put something in, but not that much." He called the $300,000 claim "an incredible number."

Since Holland filed for personal liquidation, he doesn't have to pay his own creditors while he keeps the claim against the church, Hart said. He estimated that Holland's claim may be paid in about 12 years - after other creditors of the Salem church are paid.

The committee also objected to the claim of Dreamma Byer, former Berean church secretary, and her husband, David Byer, for approximately $68,000. Hart estimated that $51,700 is "a fair amount" for the Byers' claim for their investment in church securities.

Berean, recently renamed Lakeside Baptist Church, is repaying secured creditors under a plan based on its weekly offerings. Payments for unsecured creditors are to start in about four years, according to the plan approved in court in November.

by CNB